The pounds you carry on your feet tax your body more than the pounds you carry on your back. That’s why our testers were such big fans of the Backcountry. At under three pounds a pair, they’re the lightest 30-inch snowshoes we’ve ever seen. To achieve such a low weight, Wausau,
Wisconsin–based Northern Lites uses an ultrastrong aluminum alloy (which allows them to use less of it) and highly abrasion-resistant PU-coated nylon straps (both of which stood up under heavy testing). Note: The Backcountry’s aluminum crampons are a bit too small for seriously technical terrain. And there should be a better way to secure the excess amount of strap. 2.9 lbs, 30″;